JP2004056479A - Volume controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a volume controller which adjusts a volume by reflecting a will of a user. <P>SOLUTION: A microcomputer 5 determines a variation of a volume level based on a volume level range in which a present volume level is included, or operation continuing time of a volume up key or a volume down key in a remote controller 1 by the user, and changes the volume level of an electronic volume 4 based on the determined variation. An upper limit value of the variation is previously set in the respective volume level ranges. The microcomputer 5 determines the variation of the volume level so that it becomes large in accordance with an increase of operation continuing time in a range that does not exceed the upper limit value which is set for the volume level range in which the present volume level is included. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a volume control device mounted on various electronic devices such as audio devices.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, audio equipment is provided with a sound volume control device that uses a motor-driven volume or an electronic volume to enable volume adjustment using operation buttons, a remote controller, or the like of the audio equipment main body. In such a volume control device, since the volume changes at a constant speed in accordance with the operation of the user, there is a problem that it takes time to raise and lower the volume.
Therefore, a volume control device has been proposed which changes the voltage applied to the volume driving motor in accordance with the user's operation continuation time to quickly raise / lower the volume (for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-62197). ).
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional volume control device, there is a problem that the volume adjustment reflecting the user's intention cannot be performed, for example, the volume change speed is too fast when the operation continuation time is long and the volume cannot be finely adjusted. There was a point.
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a volume control device capable of adjusting a volume reflecting a user's intention.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The volume control device of the present invention includes: a volume adjustment unit that adjusts a volume level of an output audio signal; a volume adjustment operation unit that allows a user to adjust the volume level; and a user's operation duration of the volume adjustment operation unit. Operation duration detecting means for detecting, volume level detecting means for detecting the volume level, and a volume level range including the volume level detected by the volume level detecting means among a plurality of preset volume level ranges. Change amount determining means for determining a change amount of the volume level based on at least one of the operation duration time detected by the operation duration detecting means, and changing the volume level based on the determined change amount. Control means for causing the
In one configuration example of the sound volume control device of the present invention, an upper limit value of the change amount is set in advance for each sound volume level range, and the change amount determining unit determines a change in the sound volume level range including the sound volume level. The change amount is determined so as to increase as the operation duration increases within a range not exceeding a set upper limit value.
[0005]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a volume control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The volume control device according to the present embodiment includes a remote controller 1 operated by a user, a light receiving unit 2 for receiving infrared rays from the remote controller 1, and a selector 3 for selecting a desired audio input from a plurality of sound sources (not shown). And an electronic volume 4 serving as volume adjusting means for adjusting the volume level of the output audio signal, and a microcomputer 5 for controlling the electronic volume 4.
[0006]
The remote controller 1 and the light receiving unit 2 serve as a volume adjustment operation unit for the user to adjust the volume level. The microcomputer 5 includes a volume level detection unit that detects a current volume level, a volume determination unit that determines a variation amount (step width) of the volume level per unit time, and changes the volume level based on the determined variation amount. Control means.
When the user presses the volume up key or the volume down key of the remote controller 1, the light receiving unit 2 that has received the infrared rays from the remote controller 1 outputs a volume operation signal (a volume up signal or a volume down signal). While receiving the volume operation signal, the microcomputer 5 controls the electronic volume 4 based on the volume operation signal and the current volume level for each unit time to increase or decrease the volume level.
When outputting the audio signal input from the selector 3 to a subsequent audio circuit (not shown) or the like, the electronic volume control 4 of the present embodiment sets the volume level of the output audio signal to −0 dB with respect to the maximum volume level. It is possible to adjust 0.5 dB as one step, such as 0.5 dB, -1.0 dB, -1.5 dB,....
[0007]
Hereinafter, the operation of the volume control device will be described in more detail. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the volume control device. The microcomputer 5 constantly determines whether or not the remote controller 1 has been operated (step S1). If the remote controller 1 has been operated and a signal has been output from the light receiving unit 2, it is determined whether or not this signal is a volume operation signal (step S1). S2).
[0008]
When a volume operation signal is output from the remote controller 1, the microcomputer 5 determines whether the volume operation signal is a volume up signal or a volume down signal (step S3). If the volume operation signal is a volume down signal, the microcomputer 5 determines the operation duration of the volume down key (step S4). When the user continues to press the volume down key of the remote controller 1, the output of the volume down signal from the light receiving unit 2 is continued in response to the pressing. Therefore, by measuring the output duration of the volume down signal, the operation duration of the volume down key can be detected.
[0009]
When the operation duration of the volume down key is less than 1.5 seconds, the microcomputer 5 determines the amount of change in the volume level per unit time as one step (0.5 dB) (step S5), and determines the determined amount of change. Only the volume level of the electronic volume 4 is reduced (step S6). If the user continues to press the volume down key of the remote controller 1, the processing of steps S1 to S6 is repeated for each unit time, and the volume level decreases by the above-mentioned amount of change for each unit time.
When the operation duration of the volume down key becomes 1.5 seconds or more and less than 3 seconds, the microcomputer 5 determines the amount of change in the volume level per unit time to be 3 steps (1.5 dB) (step S7). Then, the volume level of the electronic volume 4 is reduced by the determined change amount (step S6).
Further, when the operation duration time of the volume down key becomes 3 seconds or more, the microcomputer 5 determines the change amount of the volume level per unit time to be 5 steps (2.5 dB) (step S8), and the determined change amount Only the volume level of the electronic volume 4 is reduced (step S6).
[0010]
On the other hand, if the volume operation signal output from the remote controller 1 is a volume up signal in step S3, the microcomputer 5 determines the current volume level of the electronic volume 4 (step S9). When the current volume level is equal to or lower than -60 dB, the microcomputer 5 determines the operation continuation time of the volume up key (step S10).
As in the case of the volume down key, when the user keeps pressing down the volume up key of the remote controller 1, the output of the volume up signal from the light receiving unit 2 is continued in response to the pressing. By measuring the output duration of the volume up signal, the operation duration of the volume up key can be detected.
[0011]
When the operation duration of the volume up key is less than 1.5 seconds, the microcomputer 5 determines the change amount of the volume level per unit time as one step (0.5 dB) (step S11), and determines the determined change amount. Only, the volume level of the electronic volume 4 is increased (step S6). If the user continues to press the volume up key of the remote controller 1, steps S1 to S3 are performed until the operation duration of the volume up key becomes 1.5 seconds or longer or the volume level of the electronic volume 4 becomes larger than -60 dB. , S9 to S11, and S6 are repeated for each unit time, and the volume level increases by the amount of change for each unit time.
When the current volume level is −60 dB or less and the operation duration of the volume up key is 1.5 seconds or more and less than 3 seconds, the microcomputer 5 determines the amount of change in the volume level per unit time in three steps (1. 5 dB) (step S12), and the volume level of the electronic volume 4 is raised by the determined amount of change (step S6). If the user continues to press the volume up key of the remote controller 1, steps S1 to S3 and S9 are performed until the operation duration of the volume up key becomes 3 seconds or longer or the volume level of the electronic volume 4 becomes larger than -60 dB. , S10, S12, and S6 are repeated for each unit time, and the volume level increases by the amount of change for each unit time.
If the current volume level is -60 dB or less and the operation duration of the volume up key is 3 seconds or more, the microcomputer 5 determines the change amount of the volume level per unit time to be 5 steps (2.5 dB). (Step S13) The volume level of the electronic volume 4 is increased by the determined amount of change (Step S6).
[0012]
Next, when the current volume level exceeds -60 dB and is equal to or lower than -40 dB in step S9, the microcomputer 5 determines the operation continuation time of the volume up key (step S14). If the duration of the operation of the volume up key is less than 1.5 seconds, the microcomputer 5 determines the amount of change in the volume level per unit time as one step (step S11), and changes the electronic volume 4 by the determined amount of change. The volume level is increased (step S6).
If the user continues to press the volume up key of the remote control 1, steps S1 to S3 are performed until the operation duration of the volume up key becomes 1.5 seconds or more or the volume level of the electronic volume 4 becomes larger than -40 dB. , S9, S14, S11, and S6 are repeated for each unit time, and the volume level increases by the amount of change for each unit time.
When the current volume level exceeds −60 dB and is −40 dB or less, and the operation duration of the volume up key is 1.5 seconds or more, the microcomputer 5 sets the amount of change in the volume level per unit time to three steps. It is determined (step S12), and the volume level of the electronic volume 4 is raised by the determined amount of change (step S6). If the user continues to press the volume up key of the remote controller 1, the processes of steps S1 to S3, S9, S14, S12, and S6 are repeated every unit time until the volume level of the electronic volume 4 becomes larger than -40 dB, The sound volume level increases by the amount of change for each unit time.
[0013]
Next, when the current volume level exceeds -40 dB in step S9, the microcomputer 5 determines the change amount of the volume level per unit time as one step (step S11), and sets the electronic volume by the determined change amount. The volume level of No. 4 is increased (step S6).
[0014]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the amount of change in the volume level increases as the operation duration of the volume up key or the volume down key increases. FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the operation duration and the amount of change in the sound volume level. Thus, when the user wants to immediately lower the volume, the user can keep pressing the volume down key, so that the amount of change in the volume level increases up to 5 steps at the maximum. Can be adjusted to reflect the user's intention.
[0015]
On the other hand, with respect to the direction in which the volume is increased, the volume level range of −60 dB or less, the volume level range of −60 dB or more and −40 dB or less, and the volume level of −40 dB or more and 0 dB or less with respect to the volume range that the electronic volume 4 can adjust. Three level ranges are set in advance, and the upper limit value of the amount of change is set to 5 steps, 3 steps, and 1 step for each volume level range. FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the volume level range and the upper limit of the amount of change.
[0016]
Then, the microcomputer 5 determines the amount of change in the volume level so that the relationship in FIG. 3 is satisfied within the range that satisfies the relationship in FIG. As a result, when the user keeps pressing the volume up key, the amount of change in the volume level increases up to 5 steps at the maximum, so that the optimal volume level range normally used by the user (−60 dB to −40 dB in the present embodiment). ) Can be reached quickly, and after reaching the optimal volume level range, the amount of change in volume level is limited to a maximum of three steps, so that the optimal volume level can be easily adjusted. Also, in the volume level range of -40 dB to 0 dB, by limiting the amount of change in the volume level to one step, it is possible to prevent the volume from suddenly increasing. As a result, the volume can be adjusted to reflect the user's desire to quickly change to the optimal volume.
[0017]
The number and position of the volume level ranges, and the upper limit of the amount of change for each volume level range can be arbitrarily set by the user. Also, the microcomputer 5 automatically sets the volume level range normally used by the user based on the usage history of the user, or the volume normally used within a predetermined width range centered on the volume level when the power was last turned off. The microcomputer 5 may automatically set the level range.
[0018]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, an operation duration detecting means for detecting an operation duration of a volume adjustment operation means by a user, a volume level detecting means for detecting a volume level, and a volume level among a plurality of preset volume level ranges A change amount determining unit that determines a change amount of the volume level based on at least one of a volume level range including the volume level detected by the detecting unit and the operation duration detected by the operation duration detecting unit; And a control unit for changing the volume level based on the changed amount, the amount of change in the volume level can be increased in accordance with an increase in the operation continuation time. Can quickly reach the normally used volume level range. Furthermore, after reaching the normally used volume level range, the amount of change in the volume level can be limited, so that the volume level can be easily adjusted to the optimal level. As a result, it is possible to adjust the volume reflecting the user's intention to immediately mute the sound or to promptly change the volume to an optimum volume, and thus to perform a comfortable operation.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a volume control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the volume control device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an operation continuation time and a change amount of a sound volume level.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between a volume level range and an upper limit value of a change amount.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Remote control, 2 ... Light-receiving part, 3 ... Selector, 4 ... Electronic volume, 5 ... Microcomputer.

Claims (2)

Volume adjustment means for adjusting the volume level of the output audio signal;
Volume adjustment operation means for a user to adjust the volume level,
Operation continuation time detection means for detecting the operation continuation time of the volume adjustment operation means by the user,
Volume level detection means for detecting the volume level,
Based on at least one of a volume level range including a volume level detected by the volume level detection unit among a plurality of preset volume level ranges, and an operation duration detected by the operation duration detection unit. A change amount determining means for determining a change amount of the volume level;
Control means for changing the sound volume level based on the determined amount of change. The volume control device according to claim 1,
The upper limit of the variation is set in advance for each volume level range,
The change amount determining means determines the change amount so as to increase as the operation duration increases within a range not exceeding an upper limit set for a volume level range including the volume level. A volume control device characterized by the above-mentioned.

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